Steering Wheel Lock While Driving?
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Paradise Valley AZ
Steering Wheel Lock While Driving?
Can the steering wheel on a C5 lock while driving?
I was at the dealer for some battery questions and while there they tried to wrestle my keys from me in order to do the steering column recall work. The service manager told me the steering wheel on a C5 can lock while driving? Should I have them do the "repair"? When I asked him what they do to fix it, he was vague, almost to the point of not really understanding the process himself......it sounded like a computer reboot or something like that.
This can not be a good thing if true.
I was at the dealer for some battery questions and while there they tried to wrestle my keys from me in order to do the steering column recall work. The service manager told me the steering wheel on a C5 can lock while driving? Should I have them do the "repair"? When I asked him what they do to fix it, he was vague, almost to the point of not really understanding the process himself......it sounded like a computer reboot or something like that.
This can not be a good thing if true.
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
I was having some problems (unrelated to the CL) and I uninstalled the CLB.
When I put the CLB back in the car, everything seemed okay. I started the car and turned out of the parking spot and started driving and the column locked up on me. So I would say that yes, it can happen.
When I put the CLB back in the car, everything seemed okay. I started the car and turned out of the parking spot and started driving and the column locked up on me. So I would say that yes, it can happen.
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From: Schaumburg IL
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Yes unfortunatley the column can lock as Bsmith said while you are driving.
The recall for the MN6 involves a new wiring harness and a re-flash of the computer so that it will shut the car down if the steering wheel locks...still does not prevent the column from locking so it's not really a fix just GM covering their Azzes for the NTSB.... if youre doin 70mph and the column locks yea sure the engine shuts off but youre still doin 70mph
anyway and are screwed
if you have an A4 (autotrans) the recall works because they can fix it by blocking the locking pins with a plate.
There are probably about 1000000 threads on column lock here so if you can get the search function to work happy reading
column lock is probably the single biggest problem with the C5.
The recall for the MN6 involves a new wiring harness and a re-flash of the computer so that it will shut the car down if the steering wheel locks...still does not prevent the column from locking so it's not really a fix just GM covering their Azzes for the NTSB.... if youre doin 70mph and the column locks yea sure the engine shuts off but youre still doin 70mph
anyway and are screwedif you have an A4 (autotrans) the recall works because they can fix it by blocking the locking pins with a plate.
There are probably about 1000000 threads on column lock here so if you can get the search function to work happy reading
column lock is probably the single biggest problem with the C5.
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St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
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I think the chance of the steering locking because the locking motor energizes while you're moving are fairly slim However, I think the chances that the locking pin does not fully retract when you start the car are better, and if it is not fully retracted it may 'catch' when you're turning the wheel while moving. I thought part of the recall was to verify that the pin is free to move back and forth (in MN6s, A4s are blocked) to minimize the potential for this happening.
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From: Austin, Texas
Originally Posted by bsmith
I was having some problems (unrelated to the CL) and I uninstalled the CLB.
When I put the CLB back in the car, everything seemed okay. I started the car and turned out of the parking spot and started driving and the column locked up on me. So I would say that yes, it can happen.
When I put the CLB back in the car, everything seemed okay. I started the car and turned out of the parking spot and started driving and the column locked up on me. So I would say that yes, it can happen.
. Are you certain that the original "problems" were not related to having the CLB installed? I wonder if you have a bad CLB????
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Originally Posted by ptdrummer54
I thought part of the recall was to verify that the pin is free to move back and forth (in MN6s, A4s are blocked) to minimize the potential for this happening.
This is correct. I guess the potential for the CL to engage while driving is there, although I would think that the chances of it happening are slim. bsmith apparently had it happen to his though.
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From: California
i just received the recall letter for my 99 mn6, i havnt had a problem yet, im scared that if i do take it to the dealer to fix the chances of the CL will increase, maybe im just paranoid. should i take it to the dealer
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
I bought the Harness K for mine. And will be putting it in before it comes out in the spring. And no I will not be having the dealer reprogram the computer. If something happens once the lock is removed from the circuit I'll at least be able to drive home under full power.
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Alot of A4's are not effected by the CL at all. 2001 and above are immune I think.
I know my 04 A4 does not have it at all from the factory. Most A4's have the "press brake before shifting", which is enough, and do not need the CL.
AZC5
I know my 04 A4 does not have it at all from the factory. Most A4's have the "press brake before shifting", which is enough, and do not need the CL.
AZC5
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by roscoe118
This is the first I have ever heard this with a CLB installed . Are you certain that the original "problems" were not related to having the CLB installed? I wonder if you have a bad CLB????
. Are you certain that the original "problems" were not related to having the CLB installed? I wonder if you have a bad CLB????
I was having troubles with the car not starting occasionally and it coincidentally started soon after installing the CLB. I took it out of the car to eliminate that as the possible culprit. The ignition switch tumbler was the problem.
The CLB is back in the car and has been just fine for about 3 months now, so it was not related to the CLB.
Anyone that says that it cant happen while moving is wrong. I was only going 10mph or so, but it was enough to get my attention.
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From: Austin, Texas
Originally Posted by bsmith
positive the problems were unrelated.
I was having troubles with the car not starting occasionally and it coincidentally started soon after installing the CLB. I took it out of the car to eliminate that as the possible culprit. The ignition switch tumbler was the problem.
The CLB is back in the car and has been just fine for about 3 months now, so it was not related to the CLB.
Anyone that says that it cant happen while moving is wrong. I was only going 10mph or so, but it was enough to get my attention.
I was having troubles with the car not starting occasionally and it coincidentally started soon after installing the CLB. I took it out of the car to eliminate that as the possible culprit. The ignition switch tumbler was the problem.
The CLB is back in the car and has been just fine for about 3 months now, so it was not related to the CLB.
Anyone that says that it cant happen while moving is wrong. I was only going 10mph or so, but it was enough to get my attention.
If I understand correctly the bad ignition switch was still in when the lock up occured, after the CLB was re-installed, and after replacing the ignition switch (3 months later) it's all good.
"or"
Wow, I sure hope it doesn't happen again.
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by roscoe118
If I understand correctly the bad ignition switch was still in when the lock up occured, after the CLB was re-installed, and after replacing the ignition switch (3 months later) it's all good.
"or"
Wow, I sure hope it doesn't happen again.
"or"
Wow, I sure hope it doesn't happen again.
my first post was not clear at all...1. installed CLB
2. started having intermittent problems with car not starting.
3. removed CLB for a week to eliminate it as the cause of said problems.
4. ignition problems persisted with CLB not in car.
5. had my car at my apartment and I was going to take it to my garage when the column locked up as I was driving down the alley.
6. backed car up into parking area instead of in road.
7. went inside and changed my pants
8. pulled fuse from footwell, and re-installed CLB on the spot.
9. a couple months later I had the ignition switch replaced.
10. no problems (CL or ignition) since then.
#8 makes me wonder about the people that claim that one you have a lockup of the CL you cant install the CLB... it works perfectly on mine... and it is a '97.
My CL has locked up on me 3 times (without the CLB) and I have never had any dealer service for it, and I will not be having the recall done.
Last edited by bsmith; Jan 12, 2005 at 09:37 AM.
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From: Schaumburg IL
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Originally Posted by TkitPlz
I bought my 04 Vette new at the end of September of 04. Is this CL something I have to be concerned about also? Thanks. Dan PS-It is a 6sp.
Get the bypass kit and you'll have no problem.
Dan